I agree! Technology in the classroom is absolutely worthless unless the teachers using it are willing to learn and integrate it into the curriculum. I still think that some students will not "get it" even with the new technology, though. People are hardly ever geared to be able to learn and comprehend everything they are taught.
For example, I have struggled my entire life with mathematics. I had to have countless hours of tutoring and, to this day, the things I learned, or should I say memorized, I still do not quite understand! On the other hand, I can still remember my 5th grade history class like it was yesterday. That was when I knew I wanted to do something that involved this fascinating subject when I grew up. That being said, I think history class would have been, and could be, much more interesting and enjoyable with technology incorporated in the correct way! This post sparks a great deal of imagining what education could become if more people strove to change it.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Michael Wesch's video
Wow. Simply wow. All I could do is nod my head in agreement to the things written on the notebooks, computers, desks and walls. The video made in a very creative way. Instead of pictures with the statistics in the foreground, the comments and figures were hand written on notebooks or typed on laptops. The video reminded me of the first time I walked into a class. I was sitting along with 92 other freshmen, completely overwhelmed by the idea of college. Classes have been much smaller and better since then, thankfully.
I would only add 2 things to this video. 1: I joined a club on campus I have NO time for. I am not sure how to shorten the second one. I had a professor one semester that, in mid lecture, was interrupted by a student. The student made a comment about what she was talking about, saying that what she was writing on the board was not correct. She referenced the correct information out of a book that THE PROFESSOR assigned us. The professor quickly erased what she wrote, realizing her mistake, and simply laughed saying she must have just mixed it up. This educator had a Ph.D. in this subject! I would never write something like this unless the professor did "mix information up" more than once. Which she did. Several times. So I guess number 2 would read. "My professor is just as confused as me."
I would only add 2 things to this video. 1: I joined a club on campus I have NO time for. I am not sure how to shorten the second one. I had a professor one semester that, in mid lecture, was interrupted by a student. The student made a comment about what she was talking about, saying that what she was writing on the board was not correct. She referenced the correct information out of a book that THE PROFESSOR assigned us. The professor quickly erased what she wrote, realizing her mistake, and simply laughed saying she must have just mixed it up. This educator had a Ph.D. in this subject! I would never write something like this unless the professor did "mix information up" more than once. Which she did. Several times. So I guess number 2 would read. "My professor is just as confused as me."
Podcast Assignment Part 2: Eagle's Nest Radio
I listened to the 3rd Grade class podcast: Roamin' with the Romans. I thought it was extremely well done! It wasn't in video form, but I still loved it! They did it like a news show! They had anchors who introduced another student who did a segment on Roman buildings, the Gladiators and more! The students spoke very well and it had a very smooth flow! There was even music that went along with what each student was talking about! My favorite quote.... "Caesar, not just a type of salad, is also the name of a famous Roman." You cannot look this up!
I will take several things from this podcast. I would love to have music that coincides with the discussion. It adds an intriguing aspect to a successful podcast! It adds another piece of audio, not just the person speaking, to keep the listeners' attention. I should also be sure of what I am going to say, so that I do not have long awkward pauses or skip something I should have said. A podcast should also have a personal touch to it. Make it original! Make it yours!
I will take several things from this podcast. I would love to have music that coincides with the discussion. It adds an intriguing aspect to a successful podcast! It adds another piece of audio, not just the person speaking, to keep the listeners' attention. I should also be sure of what I am going to say, so that I do not have long awkward pauses or skip something I should have said. A podcast should also have a personal touch to it. Make it original! Make it yours!
Tech Literate Teacher
After watching this podcast, I have decided that it has several good and bad aspects. First, things I liked. I liked the place chosen for the podcast. I liked the topic and the arguments during the discussion. I love discussions on topics and I found it very thorough. I also enjoyed the atmosphere chosen to film the podcast in. I know for a fact that, if there was anything going on in the background, I would not have paid any attention to the podcast. I will need to remember this when the time comes for my podcast.
Second, things I did not like. I did not like the fact that not everyone contributed equally. In my opinion, you cannot have a good debate without equal participation. I did not like the pace of the debate either. I understand that a podcast must have some form of a script so that people do not get off topic or accidentally say someone's argument, but it seemed that too often, the people were reading from the paper in front of them, instead of speaking to one another. I feel like it either should have been practiced more, or the papers should have had short notes on them to be used as a reminder. It created an obvious tension in the conversation.
Second, things I did not like. I did not like the fact that not everyone contributed equally. In my opinion, you cannot have a good debate without equal participation. I did not like the pace of the debate either. I understand that a podcast must have some form of a script so that people do not get off topic or accidentally say someone's argument, but it seemed that too often, the people were reading from the paper in front of them, instead of speaking to one another. I feel like it either should have been practiced more, or the papers should have had short notes on them to be used as a reminder. It created an obvious tension in the conversation.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Matthew Needleman's Intro to Video in the Classroom
I thought Mr. Needleman's style of teaching is very innovative and interesting. He has found, what I said in an earlier blog post, a way to spark his students' minds. The children were enjoying school and learning without knowing it.
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